At this year’s Labour Party Conference, the Education Policy Institute has partnered with Dingley’s Promise, Sense and Newlife to hold a public panel on: ‘How support for children with SEND in the early years is key to improving child outcomes, family wellbeing and system costs’
The SEND system is at breaking point. Too many children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are identified too late, families are forced to fight for support and public services are left responding to crisis instead of preventing it. The system is failing and leaving families to face a vacuum of support.
But what if we saw the opportunity rather than the crisis?
Hosted by SEND charities Dingley’s Promise, Sense and Newlife, this panel event will explore why investing in the earliest years through reform is one of the biggest opportunities to transform the education system and the long-term outcomes of children. By investing now, not only do we enable thousands of children and their families to thrive, but we significantly reduce the costs to public services later down the line. We need to invest in services and access to equipment, as well as bring about a culture shift to recognise the potential of all children in the early years – where the mainstream inclusive system is trusted to support all children effectively, and where there is a focus on needs rather than diagnosis to secure fast early support.
We will discuss how the government can put prevention at the heart of SEND reform, giving every child the best start while reducing pressure on overstretched public services. Join parliamentarians, sector leaders, practitioners and families as we explore: the importance of providing support early, not after children reach crisis point; the vital role of Family Hubs in identifying needs and coordinating support; and how sustainable investment in the early years, including investment in a skilled workforce, can improve outcomes and reduce long-term costs. Ultimately, to discuss how we can create a joined-up system that works for children, families, charities and public services.
Speakers will be announced in due course.
** Note: This event will take place in the conference secure zone. To access the secure zone you will need to obtain a pass directly from the Labour Party.**
